Serious question. Do I genuinely want a bob, or am I just bored? And more importantly, is it odd to be this obsessed with Gracie Abrams’ hair when she’s 25 and I’m 43? I’m acutely aware that I’m nearly two decades her senior. Also, my tween and all her friends got bobs last year. They’re 11.
But it isn’t just Gracie.
At the 2025 Met Gala, Nicole Kidman debuted a newly cropped bob that tapered so elegantly into the nape of her neck, it felt architectural. Shortly after, Pamela Anderson appeared with a chin-length cut and whispery baby bangs – soft and utterly modern. Both women are in their 50s, and neither looked remotely mumsy (my greatest fear is that a bob will make me look older).
For the longest time, I believed the bob belonged to a particular demographic – namely, someone older than me. Grown-up women who wore sensible shoes and always had tissues in their handbags (if I’m being honest, that’s me). But then I took my girls to see Gracie Abrams on The Secret of Us tour. The music was phenomenal, but so was Abrams’ jaw-skimming brown hair. It had the nonchalance of youth but the precision of a very good stylist. I was obsessed.
So back to my serious question – should I get a bob?
Because when the Met Gala aired, and those bobs stared me in the face – Kidman’s, Anderson’s – I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
“The bob we’re seeing right now is softer, airier, with a real sense of ease,” explains Michael Kelly, leading colourist and founder of SALON HER in Sydney’s Darlinghurst. “It’s less rigid than the classic version – layers are subtle, the finish is light, giving that kind of effortless texture that feels really fresh. Think relaxed and a little undone, but still polished.”
Naturally, I had questions.
Does A Bob Make You Look Younger Or Older?
“It depends entirely on the cut,” Kelly tells me. “A well-shaped bob with movement, tailored to your bone structure, can lift the face and bring lightness. But too blunt, or at the wrong length, and it can look severe. It’s all about precision and personalisation.”
What’s The Most Universally Flattering Hair Length?
“That really comes down to face shape and personal style,” he says. “Generally, anything between the lips and collarbone works well. A chin-length bob opens up the face, but if you want something softer, just skimming the collarbone can feel more wearable.”
Why The Idea That Long Hair Is Youthful Is Outdated
We’ve been conditioned – through shampoo commercials, rom-coms, and endless cultural ideals – to believe that long hair is synonymous with femininity, desirability, and youth. As though length alone could guarantee allure. I’ve kept my long-ish hair partly out of habit, partly out of fear. It’s been a sort of security blanket.
“Bobs suit all ages,” Kelly says. “There’s no age limit on a brilliant haircut. The beauty of a bob is its adaptability. On younger clients it can be cool and playful, and on more mature women it brings structure and elegance. It’s all about how it’s cut and styled to suit you.”
Why the Bob Haircut Is the It-Girl Style of 2025
So – will a bob transform your life? Maybe. Maybe not.
But if you’ve stared longingly at that photo of Gracie Abrams you saved or found yourself wondering whether a little chop might be just what you need, then you probably already have your answer.
